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October, 2019
How to Know Why Your Car Bulbs Have Blown
There are a few reasons why your car bulbs might have blown: faulty circuits, faulty bulbs, over-current, damaged wiring…
Here’s how to work out why your bulbs have blown and how to avoid this happening next time.
Reasons Why Your Car Bulbs Have Blown
Car bulbs usually last anywhere between 450 and 11,000+ hours, depending on the type of bulb that you buy. You can read more about bulb lifetime here. However, if your bulbs blow early, you might be wondering what caused them such an early death…
The first thing to ensure is that you buy quality car bulbs. Some low-quality bulbs are so weak that any surge of power can damage them. This doesn’t mean that you need to spend out on car bulbs. There are plenty of affordable options on the marketplace from high-quality manufacturers.
A loose connection in the bulb holder can also cause bulbs to blow. This is because the circuit is not completed as tightly as it should be. You should check the connections in the bulb holder to identify why the bulb has blown. Examine the wire connections, as well as the tightness of connections in the switch. Ensure that the power is off before you make these checks.
Similarly, a loose spring load connection requires electricity to arc across the contact – and too much heat can blow the bulb. You can check whether the spring load connection is loose by examining the contact on the bottom of the bulb. If it is pitted, it is likely that the spring load connection is loose. Arcing electricity can melt the metal that comes into contact with the electricity. When a bulb is continuously exposed to arcing, tiny indentations build up.
When The Fuse Has Blown Too
You will know if the fuse has blown because any components on the affected circuit will stop working. This could include the radio, lights or the electric side mirrors.
It is possible that your car bulbs aren’t the problem. If other components are failing too, it’s likely that your fuse has an incorrect amperage rating. Your vehicle handbook will contain a diagram that explains the correct amperage rating. Keep in mind that the more devices on a circuit, the heavier the amp load. If an amplifier is too powerful, it can blow the fuse.
Prevent Your Car Bulbs From Blowing
You can minimise your chances of your bulbs blowing by buying quality replacements from a reliable supplier. This doesn’t mean paying a premium. DIY Car Service Parts supply car bulbs from trusted manufacturers only, all at the lowest prices.
Search your number plate in our car lookup tool to find all the quality car bulbs that are a good fit for your car.
All DIY car service parts are manufactured by trusted, high-quality brands. Here are just a few of the brands that we stock.
About DIY Car Service Parts
Whether you’re changing your own car parts or saving costs by providing them to your local garage, DIY Car Service Parts is the ultimate site for easily identifying the vehicle parts that you need.
DIY Car Service Parts isn’t just about accessing car parts from the best brands at the lowest prices. With over 35 years’ experience in the automotive industry, we are experts in the car parts field. Our specialist team is on hand to answer any of your queries and offer valuable advice so that you can understand more about the ways that your car works and get savvy under the bonnet.
